Emmy Hayes Condon
Your daily guide to feeling, looking, and living your best.
Why September Feels Like New Year's (And How to Use That Energy)
January 1st has never actually felt like a fresh start to me. It's cold, it's dark, and by the time the ball drops, I'm already exhausted from the holidays. But late August/early September? That's when I feel it. That itch to buy a new notebook, rearrange my desk, and pretend I'm about to walk into homeroom with a color-coded binder and main character energy.
Something about back-to-school season hits different. Maybe it's nostalgia, maybe it's the shift in light, maybe it's years of conditioning — but every September I do a full life audit. New to-do list system. New morning routine I'll keep for exactly twelve days—a sudden, deep need to label things.
And this year, my feeds are extra loud with it — everyone's talking about the "90-day reset," that social trend where you treat the last quarter of the year like your own personal season finale. New habits, new goals, a clean runway into January instead of scrambling to catch up once the holidays hit.
I love this for us, honestly. There's something so much more forgiving about a fall reset than a January one — no pressure, no resolutions, just... a vibe shift. A permission slip to reorganize your life because the air got a little crisper.
So here’s to actually using that back-to-school energy — without burning out by Halloween. Let's do it!
Ask Clara:
"How do I schedule more time for myself?"
Rec Leagues Are Back: Why Adults Are Ditching the Gym for Kickball
Adult rec leagues are having a full-blown moment, and honestly? It makes so much sense. Remember when "working out" meant dragging yourself to a silent gym, staring at a wall while you did reps, and leaving feeling more drained than when you walked in? Yeah, we're over that too.
Grown-ups everywhere are trading solo workouts for kickball, dodgeball, and rec soccer leagues, and the vibe check is real. Turns out, when you commit to show up because your team is counting on you, you do. No more bailing on leg day because "I'm tired." Your teammates need a fourth for kickball, so you're there, and suddenly you've moved your body, laughed way too hard at a bad throw, and made actual friends — all without it feeling like a chore.
It's giving nostalgia, too. That "recess energy" we didn't know we were missing since, like, sixth grade. Community and competition might be the secret sauce to sticking with movement long-term, way more than any fitness app streak ever could.
So if your workout routine has felt a little flat lately, maybe the answer isn't a new gym membership — it's a jersey and a Wednesday night game. Grab your friends, sign up for a league, and let's get back out there. Trust us, your body (and your social calendar) will thank you.
Dior's New "Haute Wellness" Push: What Luxury Self-Care Trends Mean for the Rest of Us
Okay, we need to talk about Dior's latest power move — because it says a lot about where wellness culture is headed. The house's beauty division just announced it's leveling up its spa offerings and bringing on Pilates instructors and sleep specialists, essentially building out a full-blown wellness ecosystem to rival five-star hotels and retreats. Dior. Doing sleep coaching. We've officially entered the era where skincare brands want to optimize your entire existence, not just your under-eye circles.
Look, I love this on some level. It's a sign that rest, movement, and recovery are finally being treated as luxury-worthy, not just "self-care" fluff you feel guilty prioritizing. When a brand with Dior's cultural weight puts a Pilates reformer into the retail mix, it sends a message: wellness isn't a side hustle to beauty; it is beauty. But it also raises the question we ask every time luxury wellness expands its footprint — does elevating something make it better, or just more expensive?
Here's the thing: you don't need a $500 sleep consultation to protect your sleep, and you don't need a Dior-branded reformer class to feel the benefits of Pilates (though, no judgment if that's the dream). The core of what makes these practices work is available to basically anyone, budget be damned.
Ask Clara:
"How do I budget for my wellness routine?"
My Favorite August Wellness & Beauty Buys (Postpartum Mom Approved)
Here’s all the stuff I've been hoarding in my cart the last few months — the kind of purchases that make you feel like you actually have your life together (even when you very much do not).
First up: a shampoo so glossy it basically tricks people into thinking I get blowouts weekly. Paired it with a volumizing mascara that gives my lashes main-character energy without the falsies commitment. And can we talk about extra-large eye patches? Because "mom tired" eyes needed an intervention, and these delivered.
On the wellness side, I've been slowly (emphasis on slowly) working my way through this postpartum core workout, and it's honestly perfect for the chaos of new-mom life — I can squeeze it in during nap time or ignore it for three days and pick right back up, no guilt required.
Then there's the splurge: a pair of earbuds that I debated for weeks before buying. Worth. Every. Penny. Being able to listen to an audiobook while still hearing the baby monitor? Actual sorcery. Motherhood upgrade unlocked.
I also snagged a curling iron that gives salon-level waves for a fraction of the price of the fancy one everyone raves about — my wallet said thank you.
And finally, the pièce de résistance: a little spritz of body spray that makes me feel expensive even when I'm running on four hours of sleep and dry shampoo. Bougie on a budget, baby. That's the whole aesthetic.
The Ulta Sale Picks I'm Sending to the Group Chat
So... Ulta's 21+ Days of Beauty Event snuck up on me again (running now through September 17). As your resident wellness editor, I feel obligated to report back on what's actually worth your attention this time around. And if you’re feeling a case of the “shoppies,” here are my selections for the daily and weekly deals. Feel free to bookmark them!
9/3: Christophe Robin Clarifying Scrub With Sea Salt — The best. I stocked up in Paris on my last trip because it was about 7 euros a tub there — not the luxury price we pay stateside. I use this once a week on my very processed, bleach-blonde hair, and the way it cleans and hydrates is insane. The scent is light, and I’m always amazed at how the sea salt dissolves and froths into the perfect rinse.
9/5: Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Luminous Powder Blush — A beautiful formula and best-seller from everyone’s favorite celebrity-backed brand. I’m eyeing Happy (a pop of pink) and maybe Love (terracotta) for fall.
9/8: Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream — The K-beauty answer to La Roche-Posay’s Cicaplast B5 Balm. Great for very dry or problem skin — more occlusive than a daily moisturizer, and a smart one to stock up on before winter.
9/9: Maelys B-Tight Lift & Firm Booty Mask — This one intrigues me — I believe it made Oprah’s Favorite Things list, so that’s the vibe. But honestly? Anything with “firming” and “booty” in the name, on sale for 50% off, and I’m trying it.
9/10: FOREO FLIP Play Advanced LED Light Hairbrush — My biggest curiosity as I start my postpartum hair journey ?. Red light has been studied for cell and hair regeneration — it’s just one tool in the toolbox, but I’m here for it.
9/12: Clarins Double Serum — A cult classic for a reason. Anti-aging, plumping, firming, and a nighttime must (it’s a bit thick for morning routines).
9/17: Virtue Healing Hair Oil — A blend that brings tired, dry hair back to life, no matter how little sleep you’ve gotten.
If there's a splurge-y skincare tool or a perfume you've been circling for months, this is the time to buy. That's less "go buy everything" and more "if you were going to get it eventually, now's a smart time."
The Great Filler Reversal: Inside the Rise of Filler Removal
The gist: after years of everyone quietly plumping up their cheeks, lips, and jawlines, a lot of people are now booking appointments to undo it. Yep — filler removal is having a moment, and honestly? We get it.
Here's the thing about filler: it's sneaky. You start with a little tweak here, a subtle touch-up there, and before you know it, years have gone by, and your face has slowly drifted into "puffy," "stretched," or that telltale pillowy look that's become the internet's favorite thing to clock in celebrity photos. It's not that anyone did anything wrong in one sitting, and to each their own, I love a little lift every once in a while.
So now the pendulum is swinging the other way. Dermatologists are seeing more patients asking for hyaluronidase (the enzyme that dissolves hyaluronic acid filler) to hit reset and get back to their actual faces. There's something freeing about that, right? The whole "your filler isn't forever" reminder feels like permission to change your mind.
If you've ever looked in the mirror and thought Hmm, did I overdo it? You're not alone, and it might be worth a conversation with your injector about dialing things back.
Curious about the full scoop? The WSJ article digs into why this shift is happening and what it means for the future of "tweakments." Worth the read if this hit close to home.
Ask Clara:
"What are natural ways to plump up my skin?"
The Rise of Craft Retreats: The Wellness Travel Trend You Need to Try
Forget lounging by a pool with a piña colada (no shade, we love that too) — people are now jetting off to learn how to make things with their hands. Think grass weaving in the Portuguese countryside or papermaking in rural China. Yes, really.
This article shares a gorgeous roundup on this exact phenomenon, and honestly, it makes so much sense. We're all so tapped out from screens, scrolling, and optimizing every second of our lives that there's something deeply healing about sitting with a local artisan, getting your hands dirty (literally), and learning a skill passed down for generations. No notifications. No multitasking. Just you, your hands, and whatever beautiful, slightly wonky thing you're creating.
This isn't just a cute Instagram moment. Craft retreats tap into something we talk about a lot at Rescripted: the nervous-system reset that comes from slow, tactile, present-moment work. Weaving, papermaking, and pottery are moving meditations that come with a plane ticket.
So if you've been dreaming about a trip that leaves you feeling restored instead of needing a vacation from your vacation, this is your sign. Go learn to weave a basket in the Algarve. Make paper by hand in a centuries-old Chinese village. Or make it a staycation with a new needlepoint kit and a few friends.
Ask Clara:
"How do new hobbies help me socialize?"
Stop Texting, Start Calling: How Phone Calls Can Deepen Your Relationships
Let's talk about how weird it is that we've stopped calling each other. Like, when's the last time your phone rang and it wasn't a scam call from "your local area code" or your mom checking if you're alive? We've turned into a society of ellipses-watchers, staring at three little dots hoping our friend hits send before we die of anticipation.
Somewhere along the way, texting became the default setting for connection — low-effort, low-commitment, easy to ignore. And look, I get it. Texting is convenient. It fits into the cracks of our day. But convenience isn't the same as closeness. You can't hear someone's laugh in a text. You can't catch the tiny pause before they say "I'm fine" that tells you they're actually not fine at all.
There's something almost vulnerable about calling someone out of nowhere — it says "I was thinking about you enough to actually want to hear your voice," not just "I had 30 seconds to type this while waiting for my coffee." Phone calls force presence. They don't let you multitask your way through a friendship.
So here's your permission slip: call your best friend today. Not to schedule anything, not because something's wrong — to say hi. Ask about their weird dream, their annoying coworker, what they had for lunch. Let a conversation happen instead of a thread.
Because our people deserve more than blue bubbles; they deserve our voice.
My Drugstore Beauty Holy Grails: 6 Tried-and-True Staples I Repurchase Every Time
Pursuing any drugstore shelf is one of my favorite pastimes, and whatever is new is always my first go-to. I'm a self-proclaimed beauty junkie, but there are a few tried-and-true staples that are always on the empties and restock lists.
And now, with most drugstore products as good as (f not even a bit better than) more expensive versions, these are the few things always in my basket.
Let's start with the obvious: This moisturizer is basically a rite of passage at this point, but I keep coming back for a reason — it's the ultimate skin barrier hug in a tub. For the delicate under-eye area, I swear by this; it's gentle enough for beginners, but you'll actually see results.
When a breakout decides to crash the party uninvited, this spot treatment has been my emergency contact for years. And for lashes that look like they cost way more than they did, nothing beats this, and the instant glam mood never lets me down.
My lips are drama queens, so these live in every bag, coat pocket, and nightstand I own. And to finish things off with a little supermodel shine, this shampoo gives my hair that glassy, salon-fresh look without the salon price tag.
Consider this your permission slip to enjoy the drugstore aisle for a few favorites without breaking the beauty bank.
Dolly Parton's Beauty Was Never a Mask. It Was Her Superpower.
There was something magical about the fringe, the blue eyeshadow, the lashes, the HAIR, the red lips, and the brilliant smile. Then the body, sculpted and reshaped entirely on her own terms, punchlines and misogyny and all. Despite it all, she never let it rattle her. She knew her real gifts were the words on the page and the strums on the guitar (she even played her acrylic nails like an instrument, duetting with Patti LaBelle). Beauty was simply a tool in the vast, big-hearted creativity of a petite powerhouse.
Appearance and beauty made her who she was, not despite what little she had, but because of how she used it. She started with pokeberries and burnt matches for her earliest beauty looks, and built from there to the perfect blonde bouffant and bright blush that became her signature. That evolution wasn't vanity; it was a masterclass in self-invention.
Dolly didn't just wear beauty culture, she authored it. Long before "unapologetic femininity" was a hashtag, she was living it: the exaggerated wigs, the rhinestones, the curves, all dialed up to a volume she controlled. Her most famous line on the subject, "it costs a lot of money to look this cheap," wasn't self-deprecation. It was a thesis statement. She turned a look that critics dismissed as trashy into a signature so recognizable it became shorthand for camp, glamour, and Appalachian pride all at once. Drag performers, pop stars, and beauty creators have spent decades riffing on her aesthetic because she got there first, and she got there on her own terms. She proved that femininity this loud could also be this smart, and that the woman underneath the wig was always the one holding the pen.
The way she used beauty as power elevated her into legend.
With an outpouring of remembrances and support across the spectrum, everyone loved Dolly. She stood as a feminist icon and as the embodiment of the American dream. Two of my favorite cultural deep dives on her are this podcast series and book, both of which explore Dolly as a woman who crossed genres and defied stereotypes, owning every conversation about her looks, her body, and her intelligence — always reminding us exactly what kind of woman she was.
May we all feel as beloved and beautiful as Dolly.